Rat-trap.



Patented Oct. 23, I900.

J. W. HOLMES.

R A T T R A P.

(Application filed May 28, 1900.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOSEPH W. HOLMES, OF J OPLIN, MISSOURI.

. RAT-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,191, dated October23, 1900.

Application filed May 26, 1900. Serial No. 18,070. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. HoLMEs, acitizen of the United States, residing at Joplin, in the county ofJasper and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Rat-Traps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in animal traps; and the object thereofis to provide a trap which is especially adapted for catching andimprisoning rats and other small animals.

The invention contemplates a construction of trap by which the animalsare allured into a passage-way that is normally closed at its inner endand contains a tilting platform which is depressed by the weight of theanimal and operates certain devices to open said inner end of thepassage-way and close the outer end thereof in the rear of the animal,compelling said animal to continue on into the cage, the parts beingreset automatically after the platform is relieved of the weight of theanimal.

The following specification enters into a detailed description of theconstruction and operation of my invention, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters thereon which designate thedifferent parts, and what I consider to be new in the construction andcombination is more specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, Figure l is aplan View illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional viewon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, a part of theouter wall being brokenaway.

Referring to said drawings, A and A designate the side walls of thepassage-way, and B designates the bottom board of the same. The frontend of the bottom board B forms a raised platform B, while the rear endis cut away, as shown, to receive a pivoted platform 0, the uppersurface of which is normally on a plane with said raised platform. Saidplatform C is pivoted at its forward end upon a form B is a pivoted wiregate D, said gate being pivoted at its forward end in the side walls ofthe passageway by means of a transverse rod D, to which it is rigidlysecured, and which rod lies in a depression in the platform, as shown.One end of the rod D passes through the side wall A and has arearwardlyprojecting arm d secured thereto, by which the gate isoperated. The outer end of arm 01 is engaged by the forward end of alever E, and the rear end of said lever is engaged by a pin 0,projecting from the free end of the pivoted platform 0 through a curvedslot at in the side wall A, so that said pivoted gate may be operateddirectly from the pivoted platform, it being noted that the free end ofthe pivoted gate D tilts upward upon the depression of the free end ofsaid platform.

Located a suitable distance above the gate D is a gate F, the normalposition of which is horizontal or parallel with the said gate D, thegate F being secured to a rod F, one end of which is extended throughthe side Wall A and has fiXed thereon a forwardly-projecting arm J, saidarm being connected by a weighted rod G to a lever H, which lever isalso connected to the free end of the pivoted platform 0 by a pin 0',projecting from said platform through a curved slot a in the wall A.

Located above the pivoted platform is a gate I, secured at its forwardend to a rod K, bearing in the side walls of the passage-way, one end ofsaid rod being extended through the wall A and having fixed thereon aforwardlyprojecting arm 7c, connected at its outer end to a rod L,carried by an arm m of a rod M, extending from the free end of thepivoted platform C.

At the inner end of the passage-way are a series of depending bars N,the pointed lower ends of which terminate a suitable distance above thefree end of the pivoted platform 0 to leave an opening through which theanimal may pass, and it will be noted that the ends of the wires formingthe gate I pass between these bars as said gate is raised and loweredand that the normal position of said gate closes the opening or spacebelow the ends of the bars.

Each pivoted gate is made up of longitudinal Wires connected bycross-pieces, as shown,

the outer ends of said wires being pointed to prod the animal andprevent an attempt to force said gates.

In the normal position of the parts, with the platform 0 on a level withthe platform B, the gates D and F at the forward end of the assa e-wa Yare dis nosed horizontally leav- '5 o d a ing a space between themthrough which the animal may pass onto the platform 0, the gate I beinginclined downward, as shown. When the animal steps upon the platformO,said platform willbe depressed, and, operating the levers E and H androd M, will cause the free ends of the gates D and F to cross and raisethe gate I. This will clear the opening leading into the cage and willpresent an obstruction at the forward end of the passage-way to preventthe animal from backing out. When the animal passes into the cage, theplatform (3, being relieved of its weight, will be returned to itsnormal position by means of the weighted rod G, and returning to itsnormal position will also return the gates to their normal position, thegate I being down to prevent the animal from escaping, while the gates Dand F are horizontal to permit another animal to enter the passage-Way.The device therefore provides a very effective trap, for an animal willhave a clear passageway onto the pivoted platform, and should he becomefrightened by the lowering of said platform he will be prevented fromretreating backward by the gates D and F.

Having thus described my invention, I do not wish to be limited to theprecise construction herein shown and described, for it is obvious thatthe position of the gates might be changed or that other changes mightbe resorted to without sacrificing any of the advantages of theinvention. I therefore desire to reserve the right to make suchmodifications or changes that will come within the spirit and scope ofmy claims.

I claim 1. In an animal-trap, the combination, of

a passageway, gates pivoted to the forward end of said passage-way,.oneabove the other, a gate pivoted in the rear of the aforesaid gates, anda pivoted platform connected to the gates for operating the same,substantially as shown and described.

2. In an animal-trap, the combination, of a passage-way, gates pivotedto the forward endof said passage-way, one above the other,

a gate pivoted in the rear of the aforesaid gates and adapted tonormally close the opening leading into the cage, and a pivoted platformconnected to all the gates, substantially as shown and for the purposeset forth.

3. In an animal-trap, the combination, of

, a passage way having a raised platform at its forward end, a pivotedplatform in the rear of said raised platform,a gate resting normallyupon the raised platform, a lever connecting said gate to the pivotedplatform,

a gate pivoted above the aforesaid gate, a weighted rod and leverconnecting said second gate to the pivoted platform, the free ends ofsaid gates being adapted to interlock, substantially as shown and forthe purpose set forth.

4. In an animal-trap, the combination, of a passage-way, a pivoted gateresting normally upon the bottom of said passage-way, a pivotedplatform, a lever connecting said gate to said platform, a gate pivotedin the passage-way above the other gate, a weighted rod and leverconnecting said second gate to the pivoted platform, a gate pivotedabove the platform and adapted to. normally close the opening leadinginto the cage, and rods connected to the gate-and platform for operatingthe former, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH W. HOLMES.

Witnesses:

J. M. GRAHAM, W. F. CHAPMAN.

